Does your heart pound with envy at the thought of a racecar speeding across a racetrack at 250 mph? Or a skydiver freefalling from thousands of feet above the ground? If so, you may find that shark diving in Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa is the perfect solution to satisfy your deep-rooted hunger for adrenaline.
With strict preservation laws on great white sharks, Gansbaai is arguably the world’s best place to observe these exceptional creatures in their natural feeding grounds. One of the most popular places to observe the great white shark in Gansbaai is in the channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock—justifiably referred to as shark alley.
For the more adventurous, you can observe these spectacular creatures up-close from the safety of a specially designed shark diving cage. If you’re on the more conservative side—like myself—you can witness sharks feed from the comfort of the boat. In addition to viewing a variety of shark species, you can see Cape fur seals, whales, and penguins.
In Gansbaai there are a variety of shark dive safari providers and excursions to choose from—some including cages, photography opportunities, manta rays, hammerheads, tiger sharks, and more. Although each shark dive safari provider offers varying itineraries, many supply delicious breakfasts and lunches during your full day of shark viewing and diving. One of the companies we recommend is Marine Dynamic Tours, which is Fair Trade Certified by the Fair Trade in Tourism company in South Africa.
Below are some things you can see and do in the deep waters surrounding Gansbaai:
• Observe a large variety of sharks as you float safely behind the iron bars of a shark cage. Depending on the type of shark dive safari you choose, you can see hammerheads, tiger sharks (the most dangerous shark in the world), great whites, and bull sharks in their natural habitats.
• View shark feedings from the comfort of a boat. Because great whites feed at the surface, it’s not necessary to cage dive if you want to see these magnificent animals. Although it is a completely different experience, you will still be able to see great whites as they come to the surface for food.
• Scuba dive with one of the ocean’s largest and most gentle creatures, the whale shark, or through a handful of wrecks and reefs.
• Photograph enormous manta rays, moray eels, dolphins, colorful reef fish, turtles, seals and wreck sharks.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come face-to-face with one of the world’s most dangerous predators is indescribable and an activity that shouldn’t be missed—even if you are viewing the sharks from the boat! If you’re interested in participating in a shark diving excursion, the best time to enjoy one is from June to September, although many providers do offer shark dive safaris year-round.
Learn more about shark diving safaris today by contacting us at 1.800.940.9344. Our team specializes in creating completely customized itineraries for travelers going on an African family safari or honeymoon safari. Isn’t it time you experienced the African safari trip of a lifetime?
We’d love to hear your feedback on a shark diving safari in our comments section. Let us know if you would ever be up for cage diving.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks both terrifying and really awesome – this is def added to my plans for S.A.!
It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but there is another side to shark diving – although the sharks are not fed, they are lured to the boats with “food-like” substances. This has meant that they no longer have a fear of boats and humans. There is no scientific evidence, but anectdotal evidence strongly suggests an increase in the incidence of shark attacks and shark diving activity. For a number of people a day at the beach is no-longer the carefree release that it was.
Hi Kim – thank you for your comments. Yes, I agree with you there are all sorts of ethical questions we have to ask ourselves. I do know that the South African Shark Board do an enormous amount of work to ensure that the safety of sharks and also a huge emphasis is put on learning more about these majestic creatures. Having said that I do also know that I am very weary of swimming in the sea, my fear of sharks is huge, even in the Caribbean! Hopefully we can all make the sensible decision that is right for all of us.
Hi Shannon – looks incredible doesn’t it. We work with a lovely company that is Fair Trade Certified, you must check them out.